used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
bonxies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
lacking funds
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
make calm or still
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
cowsnounUS /kaʊz/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
take in solid food
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
divisible by two
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
glassyadjectiveUS /ˈɡlæsi/
resembling glass in smoothness and shininess and slickness
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
goosenounUS /ɡuːs/
web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
HoynounUS /hɔɪ/
a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
lambsnounUS /læmz/
plural of “lamb” — young sheep
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
landwardadverbUS /ˈlændwərd/
toward land
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
LydianounUS /ˈlɪdiə/
an ancient region on the coast of western Asia Minor; a powerful kingdom until conquered by the Persians in 546 BC
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
mewsnoun
street lined with buildings that were originally private stables but have been remodeled as dwellings
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
become covered with mist
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
moistadjectiveUS /mɔɪst/
slightly wet
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
being perceived or observed
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
shearverbUS /ʃɪr/
cut with shears
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
sheldrakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
shriekedadjectiveUS /ʃriːkt/
uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
sniffedverbUS /snɪft/
past form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
that is looked for
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
stormsnounUS /stɔːrmz/
plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
Stromness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
uplandadjectiveUS /ˈʌplənd/
used of high or hilly country
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
WardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The morning mist lay heavy on the islands, and the lofty Ward Hill of Hoy hid his crown in the lowering clouds; the Bay of Stromness was glassy calm.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading High above the rain goose shrieked its melancholy cry, and the sea mews and sheldrakes, even the shear waters and bonxies, flew landward to the shelter of the cliffs.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading A few days after the sailing of the Lydia the weather broke.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My sister Jessie, with evident thought of Captain Gordon, noticed these signs of approaching storms.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading On the upland meadows the cows sniffed the moist air and refused to eat, and the young lambs sought the protection of their parents' side.
